Story Behind The Song

My father, a military man, was kidnapped by communist insurgents in the Philippines. A week after he disappeared, his body was found in the river, with hands and feet still tied with heavy ropes and three gunshot wounds to the head. I was th

Song Description

This song is a tribute to heroes and all of us left behind when our heroes fall. It tells of the whole range of emotions that survivors go through: grief, pride, love, loneliness, desperation and finally, determination.

Lyrics

YOU ARE A HERO
Copyright 2004
Words and Music by Ellen T. Gore


You are a hero, they all say.
They brought you flowers and they sang you songs of praise.
For freedom's sake, you paid the price;
the greatest gift... you gave your life.
Amidst the sorrow and the tears,
my grieving heart was filled with pride.

But when all is said and done;
when all the lovely, glorious words are gone;
I face the darkest night, without you by my side.
I never will be free from all our dreams that will never be.
You sacrificed for all.
You answered when your duty called.
Now, you are gone, I feel so all alone...
without you, how can I go on?

You are my hero, yes, I'll say
you brought me happiness and filled my life with love.
For freedom's sake, you paid the price;
the greatest gift...you gave your life.
Amidst the sorrow and the tears,
my grieving heart was filled with pride.

But when all is said and done;
when all the petals have fallen on the ground;
I face the darkest life, without you by my side.
I never will be free from this emptiness you left in me.
You sacrificed for all.
You answered when your duty called.
Now you are gone, I feel so all alone...
without you, how can I go on?

You sacrificed for all,
You answered when your duty called.
Now you are gone, I need to tell the world:
The freedom that's worth fighting for
is freedom that's worth living for.
To honor you, I must go on.
To honor you, I must go on.